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Board of Selectmen Minutes -- 11/06/2014
Selectmen’s Board Meeting
November 6, 2014

Present:        Bob Thompson, Chairman; John Allen and Bill Lockard, Selectmen

Visitors:       Town Office Administrator Julie Atwell, Videographer Hank Benesh, Police Chief Karl Meyers, Emergency Management Director/Health Officer Tom Greig, Bea Davis, George Howard, Susan May, Joan Aubrey, Penny Miller, Larry Siebert, Nancy Davis, Dean Davis, Phil Davies, Ken Kimball

Chairman Bob Thompson called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m.

  • Amend & approve minutes
  • Selectmen’s Meeting – October 16, 2014  Chairman Thompson asked for any amendments or corrections and Bea Davis noted it was Rick Davis not Randy that attended the meeting.  There were no further corrections.  The minutes were approved as amended.
  • Update on 10.16.14 Action Items
  • Parking lot at Doublehead  There is no update at this time; Selectman Allen has resubmitted his contact to Andrew.
  • Locate past meeting Minutes regarding Prospect Farm  Town Office Administrator Atwell was able to find the Town Meeting Minutes thanks to Alice Pepper’s assistance.  As discussed at a previous meeting, the warrant article was indeed passed as read.
  • Selectmen’s meeting dates  The Selectmen’s meetings are set for November 20, December 4 and December 18; all beginning at 4:30 p.m.
  • Public Comment  Penny Miller noted the warrant article was passed as read, she’d like to know what the actual vote was on; what was approved.   Chairman Thompson read the Minutes of the 1973 Town Meeting regarding Warrant Article 54 and Prospect Farm.  Each recommendation with votes was read into the record as were the recommendations made by the Citizens Committee.  Chairman Thompson noted, that is what was found regarding the uses allowed and prohibited on Prospect Farm.   
EMD/HO Tom Grieg has two things to bring to the Board tonight; the Bartlett-Jackson Ambulance Association is making sure it’s meeting the requirements regarding Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The Ambulance needs to provide a containment suit with respirator.  They are working with the surrounding towns to do this.  There are two ways to go; the first is not so expensive but the second way is better and he’s trying to find a grant for it.  They are looking at what is out there to buy; they have talked to the Selectmen in Bartlett to give them a heads up.  They are also talking to the Workmen’s Compensation people as they don’t want to create a liability to the towns.  The Ambulance may also do fund raising.  The respirators are twelve-hundred dollars each and they have to have two as when using them there is a buddy system in place.  EMD/HO Grieg also noted the world of Health Care is evolving and EMS is becoming Community Paramedicine.  This concept utilizes community resources to help the aging population.  Tom has been looking at Tamworth’s program, which is really good.  The idea is to make Jackson’s residents more comfortable at home; getting the services they need and also taking care of the caregivers.  They are looking at establishing a caregiver support group.  

Chairman Thompson would have assumed the containment suit with respirator would fall under the auspices of the hospital.  EMD/HO Grieg noted both the state and the hospital are telling the Association it is on its own.  He had to deal with an anthrax scare where he was working before and they bought two suits for every town in the state; that was ten years ago and the same arguments hold true today.  There was an accident in the Notch and the injured woman was from France; they had to find out if she had been to West Africa due to ebola.  The hospitals have cut EMS loose.  

  • Police Report  Chief Karl Meyers reviewed Department activities since the last meeting.  Some items discussed included a motor vehicle accident in Carter Notch; a complaint of a missing person from a local hotel; that person was found walking on Route 16 in Glen.  An animal complaint of a canine left unattended was referred to the Animal Control Officer.  A call came in from a gentleman concerned for the safety of his alcoholic sister in town.  A report came in of some guys splitting rocks at the Falls that turned out to be the Conservation Committee’s approved work.  There were four false burglar alarms and a complaint of a neighbor’s cats getting into a fight; that was also referred to the ACO.  The Department assisted the Fire Department with a smoke alarm detector that went off due to a power surge.  A report was taken of cars racing in the Notch.  Checking on a motor vehicle at the side of the road turned up some hikers from the Notch with an injured person; Police contacted the Ambulance.  There were three residential burglaries and one attempted; all of these were vacant second homes except for the attempted where someone was home.  There was a report of a missing cat; a town citizen found a shot gun at the side of the road; it was returned to its owner; the shotgun had nothing to do with the burglaries.  There was a report of a loose cow on Cameron drive.  There was a report of trees on the power lines on Main Street.  A report of a loose canine was turned over to the ACO.  One resident was fingerprinted for SAU9 and Officers assisted the Sheriff’s Department with a paper service.  A gentleman in Jackson had a child that was going to be taken and turned over to the mother and the Sheriff wanted the Jackson Police involved to make sure all went fine.  There was a report of theft of coats from a local restaurant; it was caught on video camera and the people involved were identified; they were arrested and the coats were returned.  There was one arrest for driving with a suspended license.
  • Building Inspector  Chairman Thompson reviewed the report and the status of some of the Building Permits that are currently in place.  Warren Schomaker has informed the Board that the siding project for the Old Town Hall is being put off until May 2015.  
  • Weekly Report(s) Submitted by Robert Goudreau & Kevin Bennett
  • Building Permit 2014000061 Map V01, Lot 38B – (Owner – Town of Jackson – 125 Main Street) – Add waterline and septic tank, bathroom, insulation, move electric service, paint exterior, repave parking area  This document was signed by the Selectmen, representing the Town of Jackson.
  • Building Permit 2014000062 Map V07, Lot 129 – (Owner – Wasson-Seybold Trust – North Hampshire Ridge) – Construct 3 bedroom primary residence
  • Building Permit 2014000063 Map R18, Lot 12 – (Owner – Stamey – 10 Candy Cane Lane) – Addition to first floor, remove areas on second and third floors, change layout
  • Building Permit 2014000064 Map V04, Lot 13 – (Owner – Tracy – 28 Trickey Road) – Add solar electric system to garage/shed roof at 28 Trickey Road, and adding air source heat pumps to offset heating load
  • Building Permit 2014000065 Map V09, Lot 02 – (Owner – Hooley – 4 Evergreen Trail) – Rebuild gable sides of dog shed dormers, re-trim home (soffits) and add insulation to roof before roofing
  • New Business
  • Old Library – Phones, Fire Alarms & Electric  Joan Aubrey would like to know if there has been any progress made getting the alarm set up.  Pope Security wanted two phone lines; there is one phone line now so she’d like to see the alarm set up on that one until they are able to get a second one.  Inspector Goudreau mentioned there is a way to get a waiver for the double line.  According to Pope, when the landlines were disconnected the security system was also disconnected at that time.  There is a form signed by the Town Clerk/Tax Collector informing them that the line was disconnected. Joan’s concerned that people would see a fire and think it was being toned out when that is not the case; Pope was told not to monitor the building.  Town Office Administrator Atwell has talked to Rob Cassella at Northledge Technologies.  If they go to Time Warner each line would be twenty-nine dollars a month.  Chairman Thompson would like to pursue the two-line waiver option.  Selectman Lockard feels it’s up to the Old Library Committee to see how to deal with this.  Joan reiterated her concern that the building would be lost if an alarm doesn’t tone out; it’s too valuable.  When asked if the Old Library Committee had any money in their budget, Joan noted she’ll know by the next meeting.  The work on the Old Library is making good progress; the septic is in; the area will be patched for now with paving in the spring.  The water line to the church is in and now they are working on construction inside the building.  The Committee has a good handle on its budget.  The conduit to bring services underground is in and now would be the time to look at phone lines, too.  Joan will come back to the Board with that update.  To get the alarm working again there would be the one line through Fairpoint to get turned back on and a call to Pope to get monitoring back online.  People have the false impression that the alarm would go out but it would not.  The Committee didn’t know the alarm wasn’t working until the thing got set off accidentally and it didn’t tone out.  The budget already has the funds built in for the alarm and the phone line.  She’d like to have one line hooked up.  The Selectmen committed to do this; Chairman Thompson would like to have a concrete figure for these costs for the next meeting.    
  • Health Insurance Update  Last year Selectman Lockard discussed the changes coming to health care; there is no easy answer, health care is expensive and there is no “here’s the solution”  answer.  Obamacare attached Cadillac taxes to plans such as Jackson’s current plan in the hopes of getting funding from that tax.  The town is trying to provide for its employees; their current plans are pretty decent and there will be a fine if the town does nothing and keeps the current health care plan.  While health care costs are going to go up dramatically, Selectman Lockard will provide information based on what the penalty would be if the costs were kept flat.  The town pays two-hundred-twenty-five thousand dollars per year and if that were to continue then there would be a fifty-thousand dollar penalty so the total for health care would be two-hundred-seventy-five thousand dollars.  He supports changing the plan now to try to reduce the costs.  He has set up a meeting with the employees and the insurance representative from Health Trust.  This is something the town is going to have to do; it should be done now; he doesn’t feel this can wait.  He is proposing employees have a choice of two plans; some things will go up and some down but it reduces the Cadillac tax.  There is one Matthew Thornton plan and one from Blue Cross; there are many plans; but these look like the best direction.  The plans can change every year but a decision needs to be made for the January first start.  He’d like to make this offer to the employees about the two different health care plans next Friday.  Folks will have to make a choice; there are two choices and employees will have to choose one.  This isn’t the end; Selectman Lockard believes next year the town will have to do the same thing in order to continue to reduce the Cadillac tax.  One of the ways to get employees interested in these health care options would be to take the Cadillac tax, divide it out over the next year and show the employees “this” is what the employee pays.  The taxpayer will have to absorb that tax if the employees don’t understand they will have to pay this.  Selectman Lockard will follow what the town wants to do but the town has to make baby steps to keep costs down.  Any change is not good; there will be unhappiness but there will be more unhappiness down the road if this isn’t done.  The two plans are each slightly different.  One has an employee contribution of five percent while the other calls for seven percent.  They provide the same coverage but have a different portion of payment.  No one can say what is going to happen and the town isn’t saying to get rid of insurance but the town does have to face the fact that this tax is coming in 2016 and if it does nothing its health care costs will skyrocket.  
Phil Davies noted the purpose of the tax was to reduce costs; benefits will have to be less; Jackson’s employees have to understand that.  If Jackson’s employees are eligible for a health savings account the town could put fifty-thousand dollars in it and allow employees to use that.   

Selectman Lockard needs someone to say “Let’s take the step”.  If the other Selectman say no, then the town will continue with what it is doing and get whacked with the tax.  If it’s not done now then it will happen next year; the benefits have to change.

Chairman Thompson noted with the change in plans the employer contribution will drop from two-hundred-twenty-five thousand to one-hundred-ninety-eight.  That’s twenty-seven thousand dollars less; that’s not bad news at all.  While Selectman Lockard won’t get into the specifics of each plan, it was noted there is an increase in co-pays and for the first time there is a deductible of five-hundred dollars on one plan.  Phil noted this is the point of the ACA; folks are going to end up with higher co-pays and deductibles.  Selectman Allen noted the employee contribution is less on the plan with the deductible; that does absorb some of that.  The Board recognizes this is not easy.  

Selectman Lockard is confident the town needs to make a move now; plan to do another move next year and possibly another in the third year.  Chairman Thompson noted no one has zero deductible plans anymore; this is a reality check for Jackson’s employees.  Selectman Allen has been involved with health insurance plans for years; they go up fifteen, twenty percent each year so the Town is looking at something that could significantly reduce the cost to the town while also helping its employees with a Health Savings Plan, if they are eligible, for the five-hundred dollar deductible if that’s what the employees are concerned about.  Jackson’s employees won’t be getting anything less than a quality health insurance plan but a zero deductible is going the way of the dinosaur.

Penny concurs with this; with her non-profit job, her salary goes down each year due to double digit increases in insurance.  The employees need to pitch in and pay for it; it is not unreasonable to ask for an increase to deductible and copay.  She would encourage the Board to make this change.  

Chairman Thompson noted, even with putting funds into a Health Savings account for the employees there is still a reduction in the town’s contribution; there’s not a lot of bad news here.  He wondered if there is a reason for going with the two different plans with two different contributions.  Selectman Lockard noted this would give employees the option of a little more or a little less of a change to their costs and benefits rather than picking one plan and saying this is all we are offering; he wanted to make it a bit softer to give employees a choice.  There are many other plans and if there was a choice of eight plans the town wouldn’t be able to administer them.    

Chairman Thompson asked if the Cadillac Tax would be attached to the Mathew Thornton plan; in Selectman Lockard’s opinion, unless the town reduces the benefits and increases the employee contribution then it will get the tax; with a change every year the penalty may not be as big but the town is still going to get it.  Selectman Allen feels this is a very reasonable option and the savings would cover the employee deductibles.   Selectman Lockard would like to get approval to meet with employees and make the offer of these two plans; Selectman Allen would like to hear from the employees; Selectman Lockard noted a determination has to be made today; it can’t wait.  The town could have provided fourteen plans; he is supporting taking the first two.  Insurance agent Peter Chapel will be there to answer any questions; Retirees on the plan have been invited too.  This is the offer, these two plans are an initial motion to try to get control of the costs.  Selectman Lockard will be meeting with those involved on November 14th.  He was thanked for all the time and effort he put into this.

  • NHEC – 2015 Rate Increase – FYI  There will be a twelve-point-two percent increase to budget for.  
  • Property Liability Rate info – FYI  There will be a five percent increase to all base rates; unemployment will be reduced by five percent.
  • Trustees of the Trust Funds – withdrawal requests  Selectman Lockard, seconded by Selectman Allen, made a motion to transfer sixty thousand dollars into the Old Library Capital Reserve Fund in accordance with Article 14.  The motion passed unanimously.
Selectman Allen, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to withdraw from the Old Library Capital Reserve Fund the amount of thirteen-hundred-thirty-five dollars to pay the invoice from Civil Solutions for work on the project.  The motion passed unanimously.  

Selectman Lockard, seconded by Selectman Allen, made a motion to deposit one-hundred-forty thousand dollars into the accounts to fund Articles 15, 16, 23 and 26.  The motion passed unanimously.

  • Jackson Falls – New Addendum  This is the addendum to the Jackson Falls action plan to close off the parking at Valley Cross Road and put in three to four spaces on the corner of 16B.  Road Agent Henry had no issues with the plans; this may be done this year or not.  Selectman Lockard, seconded by Selectman Allen, made a motion to support the action plan that was presented by the Conservation Commission for the Falls.  The motion passed unanimously.  
  • Old Business
  • DOT – Biennial Inspection of Bridges – Repair completed – FYI  The sign that was hit by a plow has been repaired.  
  • Prospect Farm  Larry had proposed an ordinance which then started a very helpful discussion with a lot of feedback.  If nothing is done, snowmobiles were added as allowed in 1992.  There isn’t a lot of snowmobiling up there; there’s nowhere to park and there are no trails up there.  The Conservation Commission has decided to leave it alone.  The citizens’ biggest point was that there haven’t been any problems.  As far as hunting goes, the area is being used more often and it seems the more people and dogs are up there, the fewer animals would be in the area for hunting.  The Conservation Commission agreed the only thing the members felt was important was to make sure there were no off-road vehicles.  If someone wanted to camp up there, that would be okay.  There is a sign up there that says “Attention - motorized vehicle permitted for Jackson residents only” and that is not accurate.  Motorized vehicles are permitted for work projects.  Dean Davis noted the Commission has allowed four-wheelers up there; Bob Davis cut those trails for snowmobiles not ski trails.  In ‘80 ski-dos were voted down which nullified the Town Meeting vote in ‘73.  In ‘91 use of snowmobiles was voted to be allowed; that was not made clear at the last meeting.  Phil noted the concern that four-wheel-drive vehicles and dirt bikes tear up the trails.  After the last meeting the Selectmen didn’t come away with the sense that there was a lot of interest in snowmobiling up there or using dirt bikes or ATVs on a regular basis.  Phil noted it doesn’t, in the summer, take much to chew up the trails; these should not be allowed up there except for trail maintenance until the road hardens.  Chances are good when hunting season comes in November the ground will be hard enough so it won’t be inconveniencing a lot of people.  While some feel Prospect Farm is no place for hunting others have no issue with it.  Penny noted when they go up there with dirt bikes they are respectful and by next year her son won’t be interested in doing it anymore.  Larry noted the Commission didn’t vote on this but they did agree that ATVs can be used for maintenance or to take out deer.  There’s been a goodly amount of money put into the road; it used to be hard to get up there with a good four-wheel drive vehicle and now someone with a Prius can get in there.  Setting how to use this property lands in the Board’s lap. Policy should be set.  Hunting and snowmobiling will solve itself.  Penny noted the kiosk up there can be used to educate people regarding the use of the property.  As far as camping goes, the room is pretty well agreed there should not be a formal campsite built as that would bring more people.  Camping won’t be prohibited but it won’t be promoted either.  There aren’t that many people using it; Dexter goes up there with the Boy Scouts.  
Penny noted folks have talked about summer, spring and fall activities but no one is discussing winter usage of the property and how it relates to the townspeople.  She has a hard time not supporting having it open to all Jackson residents all winter.  JXC has an issue with people using the land where they have groomed.  That’s a big stumbling block up there.  Another member of the public noted the town should tell JXC if they want to use town property without paying for it then townspeople shouldn’t have to get permission or a pass to go up there.  Larry noted the Conservation Commission concurs; it is town property and should be open to town residents without a pass.  

Chairman Thompson noted the Board does plan to have discussion about this but this is a public meeting of the Selectmen and the Board has work to do; it is the Board’s meeting and the Selectmen haven’t discussed this yet.  

Ken Kimball noted he’s speaking as a person and not as a Board member of Jackson Ski Touring.  He appreciates the input; but the parking lot at Prospect Farm is on private property; JXC paid for that.  In addition, folks can leave from Prospect Farm and go onto Forest land without even knowing it.  If JXC were to give out a pass for residents that would be discriminating.  

Chairman Thompson noted the Board has the facts from the annual meetings.  Through digging and discussion at some of the regular Selectmen’s meetings they have found information supporting use of snowmobiles for residents of Jackson.  There was an original set of recommendations then an addendum that allowed snowmobiles; there is nothing about the trail systems not having to be separate any more.  

Selectman Lockard noted the business of parking lots and Jackson residents skiing on “JXC’s” groomed trails is of concern.  The town has given JXC permission to create groomed ski trails for money consumption; JXC has to decide if they want to spend the money on Prospect Farm.  If they close that section down then no one skis there.  JXC put money into this.  The town gave JXC permission to do it and is now saying “it’s free for us”; that’s not right.  Jackson residents get a reduced ticket.  The 2004 agreement noted that in exchange for use of the Prospect Farm area JXC will give a discount to Jackson residents on an early season pass.

Ken noted JXC gives free skiing to all residents under the age of eighteen.  Most of the trails are on Forest Service land.  Landowners get a free pass and JXC wants to work with the town.  Jackson residents get a lower price.  Selectman Allen noted the agreement from 2004 doesn’t say what the discount is.  The gate issue can be solved; it doesn’t get a lot of use.  The Board will address issues as they come forward.  Selectman Lockard noted there’s a lot of value to saying not to fix something that’s not broken.  There’s no reason to make rules that can’t be enforced.

Chairman Thompson noted dirt bikes and ATVs were prohibited in 1992; Selectman Allen would like to see the Board make a change to allow motorbikes up there.  Penny’s kids go up there; there have been motorized vehicles up there.  Rules should be added rather than rewriting the whole thing.  Selectman Lockard would not write new rules; the more rules the more the liability.  Chairman Thompson asked if either Selectmen feels there should be more restrictions or fewer restrictions or any changes to what the Selectmen currently recognize as allowable.  Selectman Allen thinks there needs to be a correction about motorized vehicle not being allowed up there.  Chairman Thompson noted at this time the town legally has to enforce no motorized vehicles up there; that was the will of the people.  Folks can formalize that change in a warrant article if there is enough support.  

Penny would just encourage the Board to formalize a key policy as well as encouraging education on the kiosk regarding Leave No Trace and safe hunting.  As far as enforcing no motorized vehicles she’d like to address this in regards to JXC.  What they are doing is not maintenance; it’s daily grooming.  Chairman Thompson noted the Board has been in agreement that members are looking for a much more formalized land use agreement.  

Phil would ask to enforce the ban on ATVs and dirt bikes, the sign on the gate states the area is open for that use to residents.  Chairman Thompson feels it is a reasonable compromise for residents to get a key for the gate and take in dirt bikes.  Phil pointed out that right now the rules say no ATVs or dirt bikes unless they are being used for the approved reasons (maintenance, etc.).  When this was approved, the Selectmen said they would limit ATVs and dirt bikes to residents and there are folks that know that was done.  There was some concern if the Selectmen had the authority as it went against the town vote.  The Board assumed it would find something concrete; they also contacted the LGC.  There are eye witnesses that say this happened and it squares with what the sign says.  The Board just wants to make the system workable.  There is also concern about preventing the key from being duplicated.  This calls attention to the fact that the town has to be more careful of who is up there and it may need to determine when too much is too much.

Ken would like to see the boundaries posted as was mentioned; if JXC were to give out a free pass for residents, as soon as they go off boundary they would be illegal.  He is now speaking for JXC and can say JXC can’t give folks a free pass to go on Forest Service property.  

Selectman Lockard wanted to make sure the decision is to stick with what the town has in writing and if someone wants to change that then they can bring it forward.  The Board agreed no motion was necessary to continue in this manner.  

Chairman Thompson noted George Howard put together a two-page history of Prospect Farm; regretfully George has left the meeting.  It is very interesting and copies are available.   

  • Whitneys’ Pond update – FYI  The letter received from DES was read into the record.  They don’t have approval for diversion of the stream for this season and there are outstanding deficiencies but this is up to the owners involved (Bilger/Fichera) and has nothing to do with the town.  Larry asked what the letter means that they don’t have permission to put sandbags in.  The Board would step in if sandbags were used to divert the stream.  Selectman Allen thinks there is something in the works about that diversion that does involve the town; it just hasn’t bubbled up yet.
  • Public Comment  Phil wants to make sure someone goes up and either removes the sign or puts up a different sign at Prospect Farm; the current one can’t stay there as it is not in tune with the rules.  This is an action item for the Selectmen.    
Bea Davis asked if the Selectmen split the cost for putting in the underground waterline; this was affirmed.  The split was fifty-fifty with the Conservation Commission.  

  • Grant for Transfer Station (added)  Transfer Station Manager Jon Edgerly submitted a grant for the proposed work at the Transfer Station; it was received and Jon would like approval to move forward.  The grant was for forty-three-hundred dollars.  The Bartlett selectmen had this request first and as far as anyone knows; they approved it.  Selectman Allen, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to expend the funds that will ultimately meet the needs of the grant so Jackson qualifies for the grant.  The motion passed unanimously.  
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:39 p.m.

                                                Respectfully submitted by:

                                                Martha D. Tobin

                                                Recording Secretary